Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger insists he hasn’t had any clash with Cesar Azpilicueta despite reports of a rift between both players.
The Garmany international has been heavily speculated to have been a troublemaker in the Chelsea squad after the sacking of Frank Lampard.
But, Rudiger has now denied all reports suggesting he played a part in Lampard’s sack.
And there was speculation claiming Rudiger had many run-ins with Azpilicueta on the training ground, but the Chelsea player has denied having any problems with his teammate.
“There has never been any problem with Azpi,” Rudiger told the Athletic. “He’s my captain and I’m very thankful that he and also Tammy reacted that quickly after they’d heard the rumours on social media.
“It looked like people from outside wanted to bother our unity in the squad. Hopefully, this negativity will go away again very soon and we can continue performances like in the Burnley game.”
Azpilicueta and Tammy Abraham came to the support of the 27-year-old, with the latter describing all the noise around Rudiger as ‘complete nonsense’.
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“Everything is fine and I can say that didn’t happen,” said Azpilicueta on reports of a bust up. “We didn’t have any issues and we don’t have. We always work together.
“As other players, we have sometimes our discussions, normal in football. When results are not going well, everybody has more tension around but nothing further than this.
“Normal footballers like normal workers in their offices or with other jobs with pressure who have to deliver and nothing further than this. There is not an issue, we are so committed.”
